Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-15
THE NAVAL ACADEMY.
Recommendation Of the Board Of
visitOrS,

REGULATIONS FOR ADMISSION OF cApErs-rEcHNrcAL
EDUCATION OF NAVAL CONSTRUCTORS AND KNGI-
NEERs, ETC., ETC.
The board Of visitors to the Naval Academy in
their report to Secretary whitney express the
opinion that it would be advisable to so amend the
regulations governing the admission OF cadets to
the Academy as TO give the academic board the
same power to pass upon the physical as upon the
Intellectual examination Of applicants: holding
that as 1t often happens that the academic board
In looking at results OF examinations In the ag-
gregate decides that deficiencies in one or more
branches are more than counterbalanced by ex-
cellence In Others, so In like manner 1t seems TO
the board that in deciding upon the question OF
admission, the Intellectual capacity and equip
ment OF an applicant ought to be considered in
conneclOn with his physical development, ana
aeaemc Snsr 70 De ~, no good reason wms tn
stan should not pass upon the whole question,
having at the same time power to exercise due
discretion In the premises
1t Is recommended that cadets at the time OF
tnelr admission be regularly mustered into the
government service and made subject to the az
ticieS OF war, ana also that, since the law now
provides that naval constructors and naval en-
glneers. as well as officers OF the line shall be
taken from the graduates of this Academy, the
education of the cadets Intended for these sew
erai corps Should be- as far as possible, specially
adapted to ut them Tor their intended occupation
Inc importance OF thorough technical educa-
uon for those who are In the future to build our
ships and plan or supervise the construction OF
me engines to run them, cannot be Overestimated
Inc board thinks the present course In the
Academy for the first three years is we'll adapted
10 lay broadly the foundation for a subsequent
OF our naval service. 1t is therefore strongly urged
That the studies OF the fourth year be arranged
t ny ane academic board In groups; that one OF
these snail have especial reference TO the training
required for service in the line, and others to the
training required for service as naval engineers,
naval constructors and other like Officers; that
frd nQh hnl
Oe called upon to indicate which OF the prescribed
courses OF the fourth year he desires TO follow,
board, he shall be allowed to exercise his choice
inns arrangement, it is believed by the board, Will
pc also desirable for those who. under existing
law, are not to receive commissions as 1t will en-
able them, subject tt the approval OF the aca-
den1c board to direct their studies in such man.
ner as snail appear best adapted to their prOba-
Inc board cOncurs in the recommendation made
py the academic board and by the last board OF
vlsltors, that cadets should graduate at the end
ol tnelr Tour years course in the Academy, and
De then either commissioned into the Navy or dis
charged and permitted to begin life for them
selves For those who are eventually TO be re-
manded to civil life a two-year'S cruise is
unnecessary; it is even hardship for it not only
depr1ves them OF time which Is Invaluable but,
except as 70 that small number who may Subse-
Quently take TO the sea. 1t tends to unfit them Tor
other occupations.
A number OF recommendations are made with
respect to the grounds, buildings and sanitary
conditions OF the Academy. The marine barracks
the report says, stand upon '.made ground" and
the foundation is SO int1rm as to have yielded to
the pressure from above. The consequence has
been that, though the building is OF recent con-
Struct1On, two OF the main walls separated and
there is great danger OF the buildings falling to
the ground unless substantial repairs are made.
The construction OF the new mess hall Is said to
have been so faulty that crack has opened in the
ceiling in the fourth story, and is Increasing in
size. This building also stands in part upon made
ground, and 1t is recommended that the building be
immediately repaired, as "1t Is possible, IL not
probable, that should very heavy storm occur a
portion OF the building will give way, not only
dangering the safety OF the entire building, but
that the "unoccupied hospital" building, which
had not been used for several years, be repaired
and put in use as quarters for officers not provided
with rooms In the Academy walls. The purchase
OF small tract OF about five acres fronting on the
river and bounded on three sides by the Academy
grounds Is recommended, in order that all the
property Of the Academy may lie continuously to-
gether 1t is also thought TO be proper place for
the location OF gas works for the Academy.